With autumn comes cooler weather, back-to-school and pumpkin-spiced everything. For a taste of the feel and flavors of fall, take a stroll down the streets of La Jolla Village for an event that will nourish much-needed funds for programs at La Jolla High School.

This year’s Taste of La Jolla event on Oct. 23 will feature gourmet bites from 25 of the Village’s top restaurants, providing sample-sized plates of popular dishes, ranging in style from seafood to steak, Spanish-style to Asian-fusion, savory to sweet and everything in between from 6 to 8:30 p.m.

“It’s a pub crawl for foodies,” said Jeff Macelli, president of the Foundation of La Jolla High School. “Guests will go from restaurant to restaurant sampling a little bit at a time.”

More than just a gastronomic tour through the Village, however, funds from the foodie crawl will bolster educational programs for the public high school.

“We certainly need all the help we can get in this era of budget cuts,” said Macelli.

Last year, the event raised $18,000 for programs at the school, and this year, organizers hope to raise as much or more for the school’s programs, staff and much-needed supplies and maintenance.

“We are in the same financial situation each year. The need is always the same,” said Macelli. “Any support we get from the community goes a long way to pay for everything from school supplies [to] staffing. It just keeps the school functioning and running.”

Tickets to the event are $45 in advance. To purchase tickets, call (858) 551-1250 or visit www.ljhs.sandi.net/Foundation/event-tasteoflajolla.html. Check-in is Chase Bank, 7777 Girard Ave., where guests will be provided a hand stamp and a map of participating restaurants.

Following the event, Barfly, 909 Prospect St., will host an after-party with special prices on drinks.

MUST HEAR

Award-winning children’s author and illustrator Marissa Moss and Stanford, Oxford and Cambridge-educated archaeologist Jordan Jacobs are cleverly introducing children to real historical events and the science of archaeology through their latest series of adventure novels, including “Samantha Sutton and the Labyrinth of Lies” by Jacobs and “Mira’s Diary: Lost in Paris” by Moss. To celebrate National Archaeology Day on Oct. 20, Warwick’s will host both authors at the La Jolla Library, located at 7555 Draper Ave. The presentation will illustrate how authors and archaeologists have common traits, like storytelling and the use of artifacts in stories. The free event begins at 11 a.m. For more information, visit www.warwicks.com or call (858) 454-0347.

MUST SEE

Ooh La La Dance Academy will fuse salsa, hip-hop, jazz, flamenco and ballet in three one-of-a-kind performances of the “The Wizard of Oz” at Tango Del Rey on Oct. 20 and 21. A three-course menu will accompany the lively performance, which will showcase a fun twist on the classic musical that everyone can enjoy. General admission to the performance, including a meal, soda and table seating, is $55 ($25 for children). VIP admission with front-row table seating is also available for $65. To purchase tickets, visit www.OLLDA.com. Showtimes are Oct. 20 at 6 p.m. and Oct. 21 at 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. Tango Del Rey is located at 3567 Del Rey St.

MUST SHOP

It’s never too early to get a little holiday shopping in or squeeze a glass of wine or two into your day — or both. To kill two birds with one stone, save the date for La Jolla Community Center’s third annual “Autumn Shopping Spree & Wine Tasting” fundraiser on Oct. 20 from 1 to 4 p.m. The afternoon will include live music, wine and hors d’oeuvres, mini-massages and exclusive shopping from local vendors like Windansea Wines, Tom Morosz’ glass sculptures, Reena Horowitz’ jewelry and more. Entrance to the afternoon fundraiser is $25 and proceeds from the event, including a portion of the sales, will go to support the LJCC and its programs. To RSVP, call (858) 459-0831 or email info@ljcommunitycnter.org. The La Jolla Community Center is located at 6811 La Jolla Blvd.

THURSDAY, Oct. 18

• “Urban Frontiers and Cross-Border Relations,” 7:30 p.m., Athenaeum, 1008 Wall St., panel discussion with speakers James Brown, principal at Public Architecture, and John Fanestil, executive director at the Foundation for Change, about Friendship Park, a bi-national city on San Diego’s southwestern border with Mexico, (858) 454-5872, www.ljathenaeum.org, free

• Nashville Songwriters Association International songwriters meeting, 6 p.m., La Jolla Lutheran Church, 7111 La Jolla Blvd., exchange lyrics and music or play live for group feedback on your music, (760) 746-4488, www.NSAISanDiego.com, first time members free for first two meetings, all others $15